The idea of a nightcap is simple: you put it on your head and it will keep your warm. But wait! Is this the type of nightcap we are talking about?
No. Today we are looking at drinks called nightcap. They are supposed to induce sleep. But are they good for you? And if so when should you have one?
Traditional nightcaps
Early or traditional nightcaps were alcohol based: Irish cream, bourbon or brandy to name a few. But doctors do not recommend alcohol as sleeping aid. It can interfere with the quality of your sleep. Even though very small doses are used in sleeping medicine and do help if used rarely.
Non-alcoholic alternative
A popular alternative is warm milk with honey. The cooked up milk contains calcium and tryptophan (also contained in turkey and pork chops) which help inducing sleep. Instead of honey you can opt for a variety of flavors like vanilla or even a tiny bit of liqueur (well, that wouldn’t be non-alcoholic and we’d rather recommend do it rarely or not at all).
The best time for a nightcap?
If you are in for the alcohol based variant then at least three hours before sleep is the best time. But beware: On the one hand alcohol makes you tired at first but the effect wears off quickly. So you might end up feeling awake when going to bed. On the other hand it is recommended to stop drinking alcohol at least three hours before sleeping to lessen the impact on sleep quality. Our recommendation: Stick to the milk variant.
The milk variant is more generous in regards to time. Around 90 minutes before bedtime is good. But also closer to 60 minutes will work. You can make it part of your evening routine while enjoying calm activities. And the honey will make the milk taste oh so delicious.
Anything else?
That’s basically it. You can vary on the additive for your warm milk. For example cinnamon is a big recommendation. Just avoid putting in tea. Some teas like black tea will have an opposing effect and keep you awake.
So I hope you can enjoy your nightcap. Maybe with a book. 🙂
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